Engagement Rings
Shopping for the right antique, new or vintage engagement ring can prove daunting. Whether you’re looking for that perfect Art Deco engagement ring, a vintage sapphire engagement ring or a fashionable contemporary accessory, it’s important to choose a style that speaks to you.
Rings have long been signifiers of marriage and committed relationships. The modern diamond engagement ring can be traced back to 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned an expensive diamond ring for his betrothed. Diamond rings subsequently became extremely popular among the European aristocracy. Later, during the Victorian era, the popularity of diamond engagement rings had filtered down to the middle class, owing to the increasing accessibility — and affordability — of gold and diamonds.
Authentic antique Victorian-era engagement rings were frequently set in rose or yellow gold and they are highly collectible. Designs for Victorian engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal. Diamonds were likely to be small rose- or old-mine-cut (the ancestor of today’s cushion-cut) stones. The former are often associated with antique styles like Victorian or Georgian, as rose-cut diamonds are uncommon in modern jewelry. The diamonds were typically set in a group of five in a band or as a solitaire.
Victorian-era engagement rings also saw other gemstones accompanying diamonds. Small seed pearls and moonstones were popular. Other sentimental and romantic motifs such as hearts and stars took hold as well. When Prince Albert became engaged to Queen Victoria, he gave her a serpent ring with emerald eyes, her birthstone. This initiated a widespread craze for snake jewelry.
In 1886, esteemed American luxury firm Tiffany & Co. introduced its solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular styles of engagement rings. The Tiffany Setting raises the stone above the band on six prongs, allowing its facets to catch the light and reflect through the stone.
French jewelry house Cartier, which pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry and helped define Art Deco, sought to render the diamonds in their engagement rings and other rings as brilliantly as possible. The brand’s timeless Solitaire 1895 engagement ring gave the impression of delicate lace.
Edwardian engagement rings and, afterward, Art Deco engagement rings that followed in the wake of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 would be characterized by complex geometric designs and platinum settings. Owing to the Art Nouveau movement, nature was a major theme for Edwardian jewelry, while the diamond ring designs of the Art Deco period were inspired by Cubism as well as ancient Egypt. Art Deco engagement rings are bold and colorful and feature gems cut in nontraditional ways.
Engagement rings designed during World War II were made from two-toned metals and smaller stones. Large stones were scarce, and platinum was reserved for the military. Postwar engagement rings were intended to be simpler and focused on the beauty of the diamond.
In 1947, De Beers Consolidated Mines, with the support of Philadelphia ad agency N.W. Ayer & Son, introduced the slogan “A diamond is forever” in a marketing campaign that emphasized a connection between diamonds and romance. Diamond sales skyrocketed, and diamond engagement rings became intertwined with the post–World War II marriage boom, which coincided with the ascension of specific diamond cuts.
The round brilliant cut, which consists of an astounding 58 facets, continues to be the most popular cut to this day. Jewelers such as Harry Winston had already gained a reputation for his talents by the time the De Beers campaign debuted, and he is said to have favored emerald-cut diamonds.
For everything from understanding the 4Cs to choosing between antique, vintage, contemporary and custom styles, get expert tips to help you find just the right ring. Additionally, explore our buying guides for a close look at antique engagement rings, Art Deco engagement rings and vintage engagement rings.
When you’re ready to mark your momentous occasion, find a vast collection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Engagement Rings
Gold, Enamel
Late 17th Century British Antique Engagement Rings
Gold
Late 18th Century French Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18th Century Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18th Century Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18th Century Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antique Engagement Rings
18k Gold
18th Century French Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Silver, 18k Gold
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18th Century British Antique Engagement Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1620s American Art Deco Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
18th Century Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-18th Century Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
16th Century European Renaissance Antique Engagement Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 18th Century German Baroque Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 1600s English Renaissance Antique Engagement Rings
1780s European Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier European Renaissance Antique Engagement Rings
22k Gold
1790s Italian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Mid-18th Century Dutch Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 1700s Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
1770s Italian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Modern Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
18th Century English Victorian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold
1790s English George III Antique Engagement Rings
Gold, 9k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Modern Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold
18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Engagement Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
Mid-17th Century Afghan Arts and Crafts Antique Engagement Rings
Tourmaline, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
15th Century and Earlier Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
1680s European Modern Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Byzantine Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Spinel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Early 17th Century Dutch Renaissance Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold
Early 18th Century French Napoleon III Antique Engagement Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Engagement Rings
Opal, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
16th Century European Renaissance Antique Engagement Rings
Rock Crystal, Gold
Mid-18th Century Unknown George II Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, Silver
16th Century American Antique Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Byzantine Antique Engagement Rings
Spinel, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Byzantine Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Spinel, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
15th Century and Earlier Artisan Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Enamel, Gold, 22k Gold
1770s Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Engagement Rings
Gold
18th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Garnet, Diamond, Gold
1650s American Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
16th Century Tudor Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
18th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Engagement Rings
Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Byzantine Antique Engagement Rings
Yellow Gold
15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
15th Century and Earlier Artisan Antique Engagement Rings
Topaz, Gold, 22k Gold, Enamel
16th Century British Victorian Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Mid-18th Century Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
17th Century Unknown Renaissance Antique Engagement Rings
Emerald, Yellow Gold
1660s Unknown Antique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. engagement rings for sale on 1stDibs
Find a wide range of Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. engagement rings available on 1stDibs. These unique items were designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. diamond engagement rings, from our inventory of 169, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. This collection contains 170 pieces as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection represents work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed and contemporary during the 21st century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider engagement rings by and . Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc. engagement rings can vary in price depending on gemstone, time period and other attributes. Price for these items starts at $378 and tops out at $125,000, while pieces like these can sell for $3,600 on average..
Read More
Our Guide to Engagement Ring Settings – And How to Choose One
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Talking Diamonds with the Jeweler Behind J. Lo’s Engagement Ring
Alon Ruschin, of Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry, channels his passion for gems into helping clients find just the right ring.
5 Engagement Ring Styles to Consider Right Now
If a classic solitaire isn't for you, explore these alluring alternatives.
The One-of-a-Kind Allure of Custom Engagement Rings
Thinking of going bespoke but not sure what it entails? We ask the experts what you need to know.
Experts Talk Engagement Ring Trends and Shopping Tips
Ready to rock? Some of our favorite jewelry designers and dealers share indispensable advice for choosing that most important ring.